Art, music, more at annual Downtown Days

Downtown Rolla will be full of art, music, photography, wine and food this weekend during the annual Downtown Days – Art & Music Festival hosted by the Rolla Downtown Business Association (RDBA).

The event will take place from 4–7 p.m. Friday, May 17, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday May 18.

Nearly 40 businesses will be participating in the event, with restaurants and bars extending the event both evenings with food specials and some that will have live music.

The event also will be held in conjunction with the Rolla Public Works Day Saturday at the downtown bandshell.

Local musicians will be playing one day or both throughout the downtown business district and the arts and entertainment district.

Arts Rolla will sponsor artists throughout the districts with original watercolors, oils, sculpture, pottery and other mediums.

The Ozark Shutter Junkies will display their photography at Trips & More and other locations, and the Piece and Plenty Quilters will showcase their work at Blossom Basket.

An information tent hosted by Arts Rolla will be located on the Phelps County Bank parking lot at Eighth and Pine streets. Another information location will be held at the Old Red Church, next to Heavenly Divine Cakes on the corner of Sixth and Olive streets. Downtown Days bags filled with coupons will be available.

Flyers with street maps will guide attendees to the participating locations and visitors should look for the red or blue balloons.

Punch cards will be handed out to those attending the event at the two information booths and the participating punch card businesses. Festival-goers who get 20 or more punches on their cards may turn them in at Russ & Rena’s or Red Door Gifts 2 no later than Monday, May 20.

No purchase is necessary. Entrants must be 18 or older to be eligible. Three lucky winners will be awarded prizes of gift certificates donated by the 27 participating punch card businesses.

“This gives us a chance to welcome area residents into our businesses while featuring the incredible talents of our local artists, photographers and musicians,” said Marilynn Langston, of Red Door Gifts, Red Door Gifts 2 and Langston Interiors.

The Phelps County Historical Society will host informal historical walking tours throughout downtown Saturday, according to member Mark Stauter. There are signs posted on various street corners with text and photos depicting buildings as they originally appeared.

Benton Square, Fisher & Brown’s SpeakEasy, Public House Brewing Company, The Locker Room Sport Bar & Grill and Alex’s Pizza will extend the two-day event into the evening with food and entertainment.

Some will have live music, bourbon tastings, craft beer tastings, imported beer tastings, dining specials and artists. Several area wineries will be providing wine tastings, as well.The work of young local artists will be featured at the Rolla Public Library, Kent Jewelry and Sew Dreamy Craft Café.

The businesses will be offering sales, specials and drawings for giveaways during the event, as well as refreshments.

This event is free to the public. Families are encouraged to attend.

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